Santorum tangles with Occupiers

TACOMA, Wash. — Rick Santorum clashed Monday evening with protesters in this normally Democratic-friendly part of the state as he became the first Republican presidential contender to visit Washington state this cycle.

Filling the front row at the Washington State History Museum where Santorum spoke, a group of Occupy protesters disrupted the event, forcing Santorum to engage them. Occupy Tacoma, the local branch of the Occupy Wall Street movement, is camped out right next to the museum, and advertised Santorum’s visit on its web site.

Story Continued Below

“I think it’s really important for you to understand what this radical element represents, because what they represent is true intolerance,” Santorum said, after two protesters were taken to the ground and placed in handcuffs by police.

The protesters, Santorum suggested, “instead of standing here unemployed, yelling at somebody” should instead “go out and get a job.”

Santorum’s supporters roared their approval, chanting “get a job” back at the Occupiers.

The ruckus, and Santorum’s visit to Washington, came on a historic day for the state. Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, which Santorum opposes. The ex-Pennsylvania senator met with state lawmakers and religious leaders shortly after the bill was signed, urging foes of gay marriage to “continue the fight,” the Associated Press reported.

But in his speech this evening, Santorum kept his remarks on the subject to a minimum while attacking a recent appeals court ruling overturning Proposition 8, a California ballot referendum that banned same-sex marriage.

As perhaps the first GOP contender to ever campaign in Washington before the state’s caucuses, according to the state GOP chair, Santorum is trying to show he can play a national game, even in atypical territory for Republicans. Washington went for President Barack Obama by a wide margin in 2008, and for John Kerry by a smaller margin in 2004.

But Santorum argued that he could contest the state if he was the GOP nominee in the fall.

“I know everybody says, ‘Oh this is a blue state,’” he said. “This is a state that loves and reveres freedom and opportunity. This is a fiercely independent state [that] understands how you can take something small and grow it into something great.”

But at the same time, Santorum conceded that conservative voices — particularly in this part of the state — are in the minority.

“We appreciate all of the voices that are here, particularly the loud voices that support the Republican Party and the conservative cause,” Santorum said. “Your voices are not heard enough in this state, but they will be in November.”